The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Thomas John Kelly, Jr. (MCSN: 343073), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Member of an Assault Platoon of Company G, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu, Palau Islands, on 15 September 1944. Although seriously wounded four times when his platoon was attacking an enemy-held airport under intense artillery, mortar and small-arms fire, Private First Class Kelly dragged a wounded comrade twenty yards out of the line of automatic fire to the protection of a shell hole and applied first aid until a corpsman came forward and attended both wounded men. His outstanding courage, devotion to duty and grave concern for the welfare of others were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.